We've all probably experienced it. When brushing your teeth, a lump of toothpaste accidentally falls on your clothes. Removing toothpaste from clothes is not difficult, but you may need to use a little soap. Act quickly because toothpaste can leave permanent stains on clothes if you don't clean it quickly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Toothpaste in Specific Areas
Step 1. Scrape off as much of the stain as possible
You'll find it easier to remove toothpaste stains with chemicals and water if you scrub the surface first.
- Try using a small knife or sharp object to scrape up as much of the spilled toothpaste as possible. Supervise children if they attempt to do so. Gently scrape up any spilled toothpaste to prevent damage to your clothes and cavities. Remember that you only need to scrape the surface of the toothpaste spill.
- Be careful not to press too hard on the spilled toothpaste or the stain will sink deeper into the clothes. You can also try scraping some of the toothpaste off your clothes with your fingers if you're in doubt using a knife. The quicker the toothpaste spill is removed, the easier it will be for you to remove it.
- If the toothpaste stays on for too long, the color of your clothes will fade. Whitening toothpastes even contain bleaching ingredients that can damage clothes if left on for a long time.
Step 2. Check the labels on the clothes
There are many ways to remove stains using water. So, make sure your clothing material will not be damaged if exposed to water.
- If it says dry clean only on the label, don't use water at all, or it will stain your clothes.
- However, if you don't have time to take your clothes to the laundry, there are stain-removal products that can be used on such clothes.
Step 3. Moisten a soft cloth with warm water then pat it onto the stained area
This will help loosen the stain further. Mix a few drops of laundry detergent with a cup of water. You can also use a stain remover product instead of laundry detergent.
- Try cleaning the stained area first. Dip the garment in the soapy water solution and then pat or wipe the toothpaste-stained area. Once the laundry soap has soaked into the area, the toothpaste stain should come off.
- Wet the stained area and press the garment with water to remove the stain. If there are still white stains on the clothes, it means that the toothpaste has not been completely removed. The content of titanium dioxide in toothpaste is what causes white stains on clothes. This is why you may need laundry soap to clean it.
- Pour water on the stained area to rinse it off. Allow the stained area to dry. Do not dry with a heater because it will make the stain seep into the clothes. Chances are, this is all you need to do, but the result is also affected by the nature of the stain. If there are still stains left, you will need to wash the clothes thoroughly.
Method 2 of 3: Washing Clothes to Remove Toothpaste
Step 1. Use the washing machine and ordinary laundry soap to wash the clothes
You should use the washing machine if the toothpaste stain doesn't work completely after trying to scrape and wipe it. You have to do this if you don't want your clothes to be permanently damaged.
- If the garment is machine washable, this is the easiest and fastest way to remove the stain.
- Usually, applying a stain remover product to clothes before washing will help.
Step 2. Pour warm water or soak clothes in a bucket
Pour warm water from the back of the stain. This warm stream of water should help loosen the toothpaste from the fibers of your clothes.
- In the water, use your fingers to gently rub the stain. Make sure the toothpaste stain is completely removed before drying the clothes, as the drying process will make the stain sink deeper into the clothes, making it more difficult to remove.
- If the stain persists, soak the garment in very hot water with a small amount of laundry soap for a few hours. Don't tumble dry the clothes, just air-dry them until you're sure there are no more stains left. If there are still toothpaste stains left, repeat this process again.
Step 3. Try using dish soap
Clean up any spilled toothpaste, and once there's only a small amount of residue left on the clothes, use dish soap and scrub it vigorously.
- First, scrape off as much of the toothpaste spill as you can on the clothes. Let the laundry soap sit for 10 minutes, then clean the clothes as usual.
- You only need about a teaspoon of clear dish soap and a cup of water. Mix dish soap and water, then use a clean cloth to rub the solution onto the surface of the stain.
Method 3 of 3: Using Other Products to Remove Toothpaste
Step 1. Add olive oil to the soap solution
Prepare a napkin, a little laundry soap, water, and olive oil. Pour laundry soap and water into a glass, then stir.
- Next, pour the oil over the surface of the stain. Do not use too much oil or your clothes may be damaged by it.
- Pour the soap solution onto the toothpaste stain. Wipe the stain after a few minutes. You may still have to wash your clothes in a bucket or washing machine. However, this step should help remove the stain.
Step 2. Rub the lemon onto the surface of the stain
Take a lemon and cut it into two halves. Then, rub the inner side against the surface of the stain for about 1 minute.
- Wash clothes with ordinary laundry detergent powder. You can also mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with baking soda, which is a powerful natural cleanser.
- Wait until the foam is gone. After that, mix again until thickened. Next, gently rub this mixture onto the stained surface. Use one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of lemon juice. You can also try using rubbing alcohol on the stain.
Step 3. Pour vinegar on the stain
Vinegar can remove stains and bad odors from almost anything. Wash clothes lightly with a cup of vinegar, or put some vinegar in a bucket of water.
- You can also wet the clothes with vinegar before washing if the stain is very heavy or the smell is very annoying. Next, put the clothes in the washing machine and follow the instructions above.
- Instead, use white vinegar. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water, then pour it over the stain. Leave it for about 1 minute. Next, pat a clean cloth over the area. Rinse then wash your clothes.
Tips
Brush your teeth in the shower so you can prevent these kinds of problems
Warning
- Be careful with your clothes, especially if you use whitening toothpaste.
- Remember, make sure the stain is completely gone before exposing your clothes to heat.
